Photo by courtesyPhoto Tony Privette posed for this photo in 2008 when he was deployed on the USS Ronald Reagan.

“The Navy was an opportunity for me to go to college for free, see the world, meet new people, and experience different cultures,” Privette said. “But being able to give something back to the USA was the biggest reason of all.”

Stationed on Naval Station North Island in San Diego, Privette spent four years inspecting and repairing naval aircraft. “As a plane captain, I was the last set of eyes to look over the helicopters before the pilots accepted them,” he said.

Ultimately, the Navy could not help him to achieve his dreams, Privette said.

“My dream career always has been and always will be (to be) a ‘Saturday Night Live’ regular. But without the Navy, who knows how long it would have taken me to get here.”

Living in Imperial Beach, Calif., Privette, 23, is slowly beginning a career in acting. “I am constantly coming up with new ideas and material that I write down,” he said, “and being only an hour and a half away from Los Angeles, I hope to get something going soon. “Being on my own feels so good and is so rewarding. I can only hope to have bigger success here.”

Now a civilian, Privette remains involved with the Navy, working for a company called L-3 Communications on the same naval base where he was stationed.

While working as a Navy contractor, Privette is pursuing an undergraduate degree in communication arts and psychology through the University of Phoenix. Linda L. Privette, 46, of Brunswick, is proud of her son for enlisting in the Navy and pursuing his dream. “I miss Tony since he decided to remain in Imperial Beach. We talk nearly every day,” she said. “Tony is not only my son, he is my best friend.”

Dianna Watson is a student in a Hood College journalism class.